It happens fast. Carina shouts something over her shoulder as she runs out the door, Atlas not even finishing his sentence that she needs to be on that hovercraft. Atlas' fingers dash across the keyboard.
"I'll be in touch," he says before cutting off the feed.
My mind races through all the possible arenas they might use. There are the seventy-five from previous years, but I have no idea how many other arenas were under construction. What am I talking about? I have no idea how to narrow down the list!
"I suppose this is the part where you use your famous ability of persuasion to get me to help," says Leader Steev.
"I don't suppose just asking nicely would work?" I say my eyes pleading.
Leader Steev shakes his head.
Fine.
My eyes harden but I'm not going to threaten him, I could though. "As it stands, you kidnapped Kreg and me as leverage in the Capitol. You could let us both go as your act of faith of you want, but you will always going to have my family and any other delegate with kids against you. So pretty much all of them.
"But how about this scenario: Not wanting the blame for my abduction attempt in District Three which resulted in the death of two of their citizens, you searched for the real people responsible. That's when you uncovered a plot by members of the old government to regain control of Panem.
"Knowing that I was part of their plans, you determined that the only place that was safe for me was within the walls of your own district. My abduction by Dr. Aurelius, or whoever you want me to say, was staged so that the Jabberjays would believe that I was your captive and not your guest. That way they wouldn't threaten anyone I care about to try and lure me out. Same can be true for Kreg. He's not involved, but the Jabberjays saw him with a known member of the Turncoats on the night of the assassination attempt. Atlas and a few others can collaborate at least that much.
"Since my arrival you have been using my skills, developed here during the war, to analyze security cameras to obtain proof that the Jabberjays are responsible for not only my attempted abduction but for the assassination attempts on President Paylor, the delegates, and the escapes of former government officials." I stop for a moment before adding, "How am I doing so far?"
Steev is impressed. He taps on the table a few times mulling it over. "And the person you broke out of prison?"
Thank you Carina… I grumble to myself. "Is that important?"
"I believe it is, Miss Welkin."
We don't have time for this! "Him," I say with a head nod to Dr. Aurelius.
Dr. Aurelius gives me an odd look. To his knowledge, I did no such thing. He broke out on his own and took over my hovercraft. I haven't told him anything about the hours of behind the scenes work.
"Explain," says Steev.
Well, Carina did want me to brag about it so here it goes. "Let's see, after finding out that Dr. Aurelius' life was in jeopardy I knew he'd only be safe outside of the Capitol. After I 'happened' to run into Effie Trinket I arranged for her to do up an itinerary for me and handed her my grandmother's journal, knowing that both would be delivered to Dr. Aurelius. Then I hacked a few systems to change the security cards belonging to guards that would check on Dr. Aurelius from limited access to full access to ensure he'd be able to get past all the gates. Then made sure both surveillance feeds were on loop so he wouldn't get caught. Afterwards I went to my apartment and packed."
"Both feeds?" Leader Steev asks.
"It's the Capitol. Some of the guards would turn off the cameras so that 'no one would see' what they were doing. But President Snow and some of the others wouldn't pass up an opportunity of watching someone break. Mrs. Grisson knew about the main security system, but not the secondary. That's how I knew Dr. Aurelius needed to get out when he did. When Mrs. Grisson, Plutarch, and Uncle Bore couldn't get President Paylor to sign his death warrant, she decided to take matters into her own hands. I've got everything she's done on tape."
I turn to Dr. Aurelius, "Kreg was with me when I watched that. It's his reason for helping me by making sure there were two hovercrafts for you to choose from to escape. Although, he didn't tell me, that one I found out from Effie."
"Why?" asks Steev since Dr. Aurelius is working out if there's any validity to my story.
"You mean other than the fact it was the right thing to do? The Jabberjays got too close and I needed a place to hide. And setting up my kidnapping allowed for no collateral damage. But I would've done it anyway."
Steev laughs a little to himself. I'm still trying to figure him out, but for now he's not a threat. If he does become one, well… I'll connect that circuit if I need to.
"Commander Luca, form and send out seven squads on the hovercrafts."
"I'm going with them," I say.
"Absolutely not," says Luca. "Sir if anything happens to her District 13 will feel the effects."
I shake my head, "That may be true, but you need me to go. I'm the guarantee that they won't shoot you out of the sky when you get there. They don't want me dead."
Leader Steev turns to Luca, "She has a point. Any questions?"
Luca salutes, "No sir. I will lead this mission myself."
"I would prefer it if you remained here. But something tells me you're going to ignore that even if it was an order."
"Hence why you won't make it an order, sir. Past observation tells me she's a magnet for trouble. I want to be able to look her family in the eye and tell them I did everything in my power to keep her safe."
Leader Steev nods, "Move out then."
Luca salutes one more time, "Yes, sir."
"Thank you," I say to Leader Steev. My heart's racing as reality that I'm going back into battle slowly sinks in. Before I leave to gear up I look at him, "Leader Steev, one more favor…"
After gearing up, I go straight to Kreg. There's no way I can leave without telling him and I have just enough time to get to his class, interrupt, and run since it will be on the way to the hanger. But when I get there he's nowhere to be found.
Of all the days for you to ignore your schedule, I think. There're only two places he could be: training or topside and there's no time to check either. This isn't how I want it but a note under his door is all I'm able to leave.
Dr. Aurelius waits for me near the elevator. I wait for the others to file past before I approach him.
"Thank you," he says. "And it's not much, maybe not enough, but may the odds be ever in your favor."
I smile, "Before you rejoin some of the games, learn to play. My grandmother's journal wasn't just to help Peeta. And thank you… for everything, sir."
"One more thing," he says as I start walking away. Turning back to him he says, "Please don't make me explain to Kreg that you are not coming back."
"No promises."
Commander Luca gives his briefing to everyone and I half listen in the back of the group until he brings up our assignments. I'm to be on the third hovercraft under the command of Captain Marsh. Now is not the time to question this decision, but I am curious why I'm not with Commander Luca.
"Dismissed," orders Luca.
Everyone divides up into their squads and hurries to their hovercraft.
"Vix!"
Turning around, Kreg is hurrying up to me. He's in normal District 13 uniform so I know he's just finding out. Otherwise I'd expect him in full gear.
Kreg looks me up and down. This is a new look for me around him loaded down with a few guns and other weapons. It's no wonder he looks shocked.
"What's all this?"
"I don't have time to explain. There's a note for you in your room."
His stance hardens. "Whatever it is I want to come."
"They won't let you. Kreg, this is important. Just in case I'm not in a position of… of doing something about it, remember what we talked about regaining trust."
"Vix..."
I don't care what his reaction is and give him a hug. "I'm sorry. If Braden asks, just tell him I went to go earn my nickname back home."
Commander Luca is standing there when I turn around. "A word."
"Bye, Kreg," I say. Then I follow in step with Luca.
"Plutarch's son was among the taken. We're not telling him which ship you'll be on just in case he tried to trade you for Soclarus."
"Good to know."
Luca nods, "So what was your nickname back home?"
"Vexin'," I say with a shrug.
"Already earned," I hear him grumble as he walks away.
Breathe, I tell myself as the hovercraft takes off.
A/N: Special thanks to 'Sohypothetically' for helping me out once again on this chapter.